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A convicted sex offender from Chatham has been jailed for 12 months after breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.
Denis Swift, 71, was found in possession of an unauthorised internet-enabled mobile phone—a direct violation of conditions imposed following his 2012 conviction for child sex offences.
Swift Arrested After Home Check
On Tuesday 24 June, officers from Kent Police visited Swift’s address to conduct a routine compliance check. During the visit, they discovered that he had purchased and was using a mobile phone capable of accessing the internet—without the written approval of police, as mandated by his SHPO.
Swift, formerly of Seymour Road, Chatham, was arrested at the scene and charged the same day.
He pleaded guilty to:
- Breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order
- Failure to comply with sex offender notification requirements
He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment the following day, Wednesday 25 June, at Medway Magistrates’ Court.
Kent Police: “Swift Was Clearly in Breach”
PC Areolito Gashi, who led the investigation, said:
“Court orders for convicted sex offenders such as Swift are put in place to safeguard against future crimes being committed—protecting vulnerable people and preventing them from becoming victims.
Swift was clearly in breach of his court order, and it’s right that he’s back behind bars.
We carry out regular checks on offenders to ensure they are complying with release conditions. Those who fail to adhere can expect to face the consequences.”
Kent Police reaffirmed their commitment to monitoring high-risk offenders and enforcing safeguarding legislation aimed at protecting vulnerable members of the community.
